Martin Butler's close-range header earned relegation-threatened Rotherham
three priceless points at home to an uninspired Preston.
The striker's 11th goal of the season crowned a first half of Rotherham
dominance as the visitors' defensive approach backfired on the
half-hour mark.
Butler had time and space to head into an empty net after goalkeeper Jonathan
Gould could only parry Andy Monkhouse's superb drive into the former Reading
striker's path.
Spearheaded by combative midfielder Jody Morris, who was making his full debut
for the Millers, Ronnie Moore's men were superior to Preston in every department
in the opening period.
The visitors, who have now won just once in 10 games, rallied gamely after the
break and laid siege on the Rotherham goal in a desperate bid to restore
parity.
And after a sustained spell of pressure Craig Brown's men thought they had
equalised at the death but Richard Cresswell's strike was disallowed for offside
and Rotherham held on for victory.
Rarely one to keep his emotions in check, Moore lambasted his players after
the 2-0 defeat at Gillingham last weekend and his side responded positively.
Butler carved out the best chance of the early exchanges when he latched on to
Chris Sedgwick's precise delivery with a fine header that was well saved by
Gould.
The Lilywhites' listless approach was then deservedly punished when Butler opened the scoring after 30 minutes.
John Mullin's free-kick was headed across the face of goal to Monkhouse who unleashed a stunning volley which Gould could only parry into the air.
And with Preston's statuesque defence caught on their heels, Butler ghosted in at the back post to head the ball firmly into the top corner of the net from
close range.
Preston came out of their shell after the break and knocked the ball around
with much more authority and conviction.
Dickson Etuhu brought the best out of Pollitt when his fierce drive from the
edge of the penalty area seemed destined for the back of the net before the
hour-mark and Richard Cresswell also went close from long range.
But Rotherham always looked a threat, and Butler, who was a constant menace
all afternoon, was a whisker away from doubling his tally with a speculative
volley which cannoned inches over the crossbar.
Predictably, Preston dominated the closing stages and Cresswell forced the
ball into the back of the net in injury-time.
However, much to the home supporters' relief, the linesman chalked off his
effort for offside and Rotherham secured a victory which gives their hopes of
avoiding the drop a major boost.
Teams:
Rotherham: Pollitt, Stockdale, Swailes, Gilchrist, Minto,
Sedgwick (Garner 66), Morris, Mullin, Monkhouse, Butler,
Proctor.
Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Richard Barker, Warne, Hurst.
Booked: Butler.
Goals: Butler 30.
Preston: Gould, Michael Jackson, Broomes, Edwards, Alexander,
Briscoe (Keane 73), McKenna (Koumantarakis 73), Etuhu,
Gemmill (Smith 88), Healy, Cresswell.
Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Lynch.
Booked: Alexander.
Att: 6,268
Ref: J Ross (Essex).
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